In a bid to address the issue of dearth of skilled manpower in forging industry,the College of Engineering Pune (CoEP) has joined hands with the Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI),the apex body of the Indian Forging Industry.

The college on Thursday signed an MoU with AIFI to develop a curriculum and course content specific to the needs of the industry. CoEP is expected to start a special graduation course with forging as elective subject,certificate course in forging technology and post-graduation course in forging technology from January 2014.

AIFI president Asheet Pasricha said,We firmly believe that collaborations between the academia and industry will help develop new communication streams and address various issues relevant to the industry. Initiatives like these will create awareness about the industry among the student community.

The CoEP and AIFI will also work to ensure hands-on knowledge building through plant visits,internships with various forging companies,undertaking research projects,organising seminars/conferences and other initiatives where people from the industry can interact with students.

CoEP director AD Sahasrabudhe said,We feel such collaborations will go a long way in bridging the gap between what is required for the industry and what the institutions are offering. The industrys participation in different forums in the education curriculum,such as offering experienced industrialists/specialists to participate in curriculum revision,offering internship to students,guest lectures on the intricacies of forging industry is a win-win situation for both parties.